 Poster: A snowHead
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I know that some of you have been rooting for my brother-in-law, who had a horrible accident in Mottaret three and a half weeks ago and I just wanted to report that he's finally doing very well and is due back in the UK later today.
Peter (holidaying on his own) was pottering down one of the blue runs under the Plattiere lifts, apparently there were quite a few people on it but it wasn't excessively busy, when the next thing he knew was that he was being loaded on to a helicopter en route for Moutiers. He had blacked out briefly but it seems that this wasn't, thankfully, from a blow to the head (he was wearing a helmet) but from the trauma of his injuries. Nobody witnessed the actual accident, or at least nobody came forward to say they had, but from the nature and extent of his injuries, it seems that this was a 'hit and run' collision. He sustained 9 broken ribs, some broken in more than one place, and a broken collarbone. One or more of the ribs damaged a lung. After spending a couple of days in Moutiers, they decided there that his condition was such that they didn't have sufficient facilities to treat him and he was transferred to Chambery Hospital. After a couple of days there - in intensive care from the off - the thing that they feared happened and he developed a massive chest infection from which he nearly died. For nearly two weeks he was in an induced coma and on a ventilator and, to make matters worse, every time they tried to lift his level of sedation, he went completely doolally, throwing himself around and trying to pull all his tubes out. But, thank God, he did start to get better and, although he remained in cloud cuckoo land for quite a while after they took him off morphine and other drugs (he had to detox from them, not to mention from his nicotine habit) he is now compos mentis, can walk a few steps and breathing well on his own, with just a bit of oxygen to keep his saturation levels correct. The team in Chambery have been fantastic, including allowing him to stay with them in intensive care for the last few days, even though he was ready to move on to a general ward: so he was in his own room, with the same care team throughout.
His insurers, Tag Direct according to the paperwork, but I have been dealing on his behalf with Specialty Group, who are the insurers' medical people, have also been very good on the whole. And as I write, he is being taken by ambulance to Chambery Airport, whence he will fly by air ambulance to Biggin Hill and thence straight to St Thomas' Hospital (which was everyone's first choice, as it's local to his home and is of course a renowned teaching hospital.) We couldn't have hoped for a better arrangement to get him back to the UK. I guess that St Thomas' will keep him in until he can manage to walk up a flight of stairs and shower/dress himself. He's not too good on the walking bit yet - he's 73, albeit a fit 73 before the accident, and has been on his back for more than three weeks - but he has showered himself, and the bones are all knitting nicely, so he's definitely on the right road.
We are all so relieved. Thanks a million to the many snowHeads who have supported me with lovely messages over the last few weeks.
Take care out there. Collisions on piste seem to be an ever-increasing horror.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Thu 19-04-12 11:30; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Pedantica, so very pleased to hear that he is on the road to recovery at last xx
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Thu 19-04-12 11:24; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Who is Al?? 
Kidding, glad he's on the mend.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
Nobody witnessed the actual accident, or at least nobody came forward to say they had, but from the nature and extent of his injuries, it seems that this was a 'hit and run' collision. He sustained 9 broken ribs, some broken in more than one place, and a broken collarbone. One or more of the ribs damaged a lung.
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What the hell?!? That is one super nasty indecent and some really awful injuries. Sounds more like he was hit by a bus than another person. Did he end up on-piste? You'd have thought if it were a collision with another person, they would have also sustained enough injuries themselves to prevent riding off without anyone noticing?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Obvisuoly also meant to say hope he mends well and quickly!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Mosha Marc,
Bloody hell, hoist with my own petard!  Sorry, now corrected.
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kat.ryb,
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Did he end up on-piste?
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Yes, I think so.
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You'd have thought if it were a collision with another person, they would have also sustained enough injuries themselves to prevent riding off without anyone noticing?
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Absolutely, that's a puzzle to everyone.
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Pedantica,
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Quote:
Did he end up on-piste?
Yes, I think so.
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Wow then that makes the injuries all the more impressive/horrific. I was kind of thinking he had sustained them going over/being knocked off a cliff or something. Quite a scary accident to hear about.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Pedantica, very glad to hear the news. x
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Wow those are some seriously nasty injuries, very glad to hear he's on the mend.
Only time I've ever heard of injuries as nasty as those (and survived) was from someone who skied into a piste marker pole at speed in a blizzard 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Wow. Had completely missed this. Glad to hear that he's getting well.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Pedantica, good grief, that sounds horrendous. Glad to hear he's recovering.
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Pedantica, Horrific tale, glad to hear he's on his way home. It should help to lower the stress levels a little. Take care.
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You know it makes sense.
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Glad he's on the mend, and hope this progress continues. I have seen too many crashes and near crashes on Martre as you come down towards Motteret. One of the most dangerous places in the Meribel valley for that in my experience. All the best to him for the recovery.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Pedantica, Good news, but be prepared for the NHS not approving of anything that was done in France, a lot of tutting and 'we don't do that here' comments!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Great news, I hope he get's better and I am sure he will appreciate all the effort you put in helping and generally giving support, please pass on all our best wishes and I hope he finds the strenght to get back on his skis.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Pedantica, this is the first I've known of this, and it does sound awful. Excellent and positive news now though, so best wishes to all and hope it continues
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thanks so much, everyone.
davidhammy, apparently my sister asked him if he was going to go skiing again. He said yes, she said over her corpse!
simon_bates, hmm. I shall remember that.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| horizon wrote: |
| Wow. Had completely missed this. Glad to hear that he's getting well. |
Yep me too. Glad he's on the mend and all the best to him.
Both my folks were with us in Val D'Isere in March on their 2nd ski holiday (they're 66) and both of them got clattered by out of control skier/boarder. Scary to think they could easily have been in the same boat as above... I don't think I'll show my mum this thread. She'd never ski again!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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As a noob on the forum, this is news to me.. Glad it sounds like he's on the mend.
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| Boredsurfing wrote: |
| Pedantica, Good news, but be prepared for the NHS not approving of anything that was done in France, a lot of tutting and 'we don't do that here' comments! |
Yup one of my collegaues suffered a broken collar bone earlier this season in Tignes and he's had similar comments from the NHS but he feels he was better treated in France!
Pedantica hadn't heard about this but pleased that your brothers beginning to get sorted out must have been a nightmare for all concerned
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stevew,
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he's had similar comments from the NHS but he feels he was better treated in France!
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I'm expecting both of these!
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| Anniepen wrote: |
| Pedantica, this is the first I've known of this, and it does sound awful. Excellent and positive news now though, so best wishes to all and hope it continues |
Same from me Pedantica x
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Pedantica, I'm another one who had somehow missed this. I am so very sorry to hear about your poor BIL's horrible accident, it is truly shocking. However, I am really pleased to hear he has done so well and will be home very soon, best wishes for his continued recovery.
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Pedantica, best wishes for his continued recovery.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Pedantica, %$^&*$* $%&) .... ouch, poor guy. Sounds Horrendous --- however it happened -- hoping he enjoys a full recovery ( and gets to go skiing again!)
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Pedantica, what an incredible relief for you and your sister (and Peter too although he probably wasn't too aware of what was going on). I bet you can't wait to have him back in London, and very best wishes that he continues to improve and gets out of hospital soon. Careful how you hug him tonight! 
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Sorry to hear about this and glad he is on the mend, my best wishes to him.
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You know it makes sense.
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Truly shocking.... I have nothing but respect for the pisteurs, the PGHM etc on the mountain... they are truly extra-ordinary at what they do along with the people in the hospital etc they come together to help people like this out....
Hope he is back on skis again soon.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Good news. Hope it doesn't put him off skiing or staying active.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ah, such lovely messages from everyone, thank you SO much. 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Pedantica, glad to hear the positive update, I had been wondering. I hope he makes a full recovery. 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Pedantica, great news indeed, it must have been an exceptionally traumatic time for all of you. All the very best to him for a quick recovery xx
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Goodness how awful. Really glad to hear he's on the mend now. Sending best wishes.
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Thanks again, guys!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Surely its time surveillance cameras put up so at least some of these collisions are recorded, and make it very serious offence to leave scene of severe accident. If cameras also put at chairlifts where your lift pass registers, I reckon they would catch 90% of offenders caught on camera. When people realize consequences may ensue, they will take more care
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FAQ
. All due condolences and best wishes to your brother in law and sister, of course, but what I really want to say is:
